18 Post Car Accident Symptoms to Watch Out For

It’s natural to overlook your own injuries in the shock that
follows a car accident. Between assessing the damage, talking to the police,
and swapping insurance information, you’re rightfully disoriented and
distracted.

A few days later, though, the immediate stress has died down
and your body’s inflammatory processes have picked up. You might wake up in
pain or discomfort, or with a feeling that something’s just not right. Injuries
of all kinds, including very serious injuries, can begin to develop symptoms in
the days following a car accident.

Watch out for these 18 post car accident symptoms. They
could mean your injuries are more serious than you thought.

1. Neck and Back Pain

The violent force in a car crash can cause your head to
rapidly swing forward and back. When this movement strains the muscles and
ligaments in your neck, the injury is known as whiplash.

Whiplash
injuries can stick around for a long time and cause chronic pain. You
should seek medical treatment right away if you think you might have whiplash.

2. Headaches

Even if you didn’t hit your head, you might find that you’ve
developed a headache after a car accident. If it feels like your headache
originates at
the base of your skull, it could be due to whiplash.

Whiplash is debilitating in itself, but your headache could
also be a sign of something even more serious. A persistent headache after a
car crash could signify a concussion or traumatic
brain injury.

3. Shoulder Pain

Does your shoulder hurt after an auto accident? Shoulder
injuries are relatively common in car crashes. You may have suffered a rotator
cuff tear, bursitis, or even a bone
fracture.

Shoulder injuries can cause you to develop a condition known
as frozen shoulder, where you lose the ability to move your shoulder joint. You
might need extensive physical therapy to treat a frozen shoulder.

4. Knee Pain

If your bent knees or shinbones hit the dashboard in your
car accident, you may have injured your posterior cruciate ligament, or PCL.
Also known as “dashboard
knee,” a PCL tear can cause pain and instability and sideline you for
several months.

5. Stiffness

After an accident, you may develop stiffness, especially in
your neck, shoulders, and low back. This could be due to whiplash, a soft
tissue injury, or even a spinal
injury.

6. Mood Changes

Your friends and family may notice that you’ve developed
mood swings or a change in your personality after an accident. You may feel
guilty, angry, or a mix of both. Your mood changes might stem from the
psychological trauma of the accident, or they could be a symptom of a
concussion or TBI.

7. Emotional Distress

Even a small car accident can have a big impact on your
emotions. Nearly
10% of car crash victims develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD), which include feeling anxious, on edge, or watchful when reminded about
the accident or when driving. You might even avoid car travel entirely.

Emotional distress is a natural response to the trauma of a
car accident, but it can also have a negative impact on your quality of life. If
your PTSD symptoms are persistent, you may need medical treatment.

8. Changes in Appetite

Emotional distress might cause you to lose your appetite or indulge
in binge eating. A change in appetite might seem minor, but it can quickly
impact your psychological and physical health.

9. Abnormal Sleep Patterns and Fatigue

It’s very common to find your sleep patterns are disturbed
following a car accident. You might suffer from insomnia or have nightmares. Or
you might have a hard time staying awake throughout the day.

Sleep changes can be a symptom of psychological trauma, or
they can be a sign of something more serious, such as a traumatic brain injury.
Either way, you should see your doctor if your sleep has changed after an
accident.

10. Tingling and Numbness

If you are experiencing a tingling sensation or numbness in
any part of your body after a car crash, it might be a sign of a serious
injury. Tingling and numbness are common symptoms of nerve damage,
which can have long-term effects on your quality of life.

11. Bruising

Seat belts keep you from being ejected from the car, but
they can also injure your torso. If you have bruising in the shape of your
seatbelt, you are at greater risk of abdominal or spinal injury and should get
checked out by your doctor, even if you don’t feel hurt. Pregnant women and
children are particularly at risk.

12. Abdominal Pain

If you are experiencing abdominal pain, you may have a
seatbelt bruise. If your stomach is swollen, you should seek medical attention.
The swelling may be a sign of internal bleeding or damage to your internal
organs.

13. Dizziness or Vertigo

You should never ignore dizziness or vertigo after a car
accident. They could be a sign that you have suffered a traumatic brain injury
or concussion.

14. Nausea

If you are feeling nauseated after a car accident, it could
be for a number of reasons. The pressure of the seat belt on the abdomen causes
some people to feel nauseated. Anxiety and vertigo can both induce nausea. Most
seriously, nausea and vomiting are often the first symptom of a head, neck, or
brain injury.

15. Vision Changes

Vision changes, such as blurred vision, double vision, or
light sensitivity, can signify a traumatic brain injury or damage to the eye
itself. In severe cases, a blow to the head can cause retinal detachment or
damage to the optic nerve, both of which can lead to permanent blindness.

16. Hearing Changes

Hearing changes after a car accident can range from a mild
ringing in the ears to complete deafness. Any hearing loss you experience after
the accident could be due to the loud noise of the airbag exploding or head
trauma.

17. Memory Loss

Traumatic brain injuries often cause amnesia, or memory
loss. You might have a hard time remembering things that happened after the
accident, before the accident, or both. You might feel confused, like your
thoughts and memories are muddled. If you are experiencing memory loss, you
should see your doctor as soon as possible.

18. Difficulty Concentrating

You might also find that you are having trouble
concentrating, or that your head feels clouded or foggy. Issues with
concentration can also signify a traumatic brain injury, so you shouldn’t
ignore them or assume they will go away on their own.

Don’t Ignore These Symptoms

After an accident, you might not think your injuries are
that serious. However, you might begin to notice symptoms in the days or weeks
that follow—symptoms that could indicate a serious injury. If you feel any of
these symptoms, it’s best to seek medical treatment right away.

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